Respiratory Disease

The benzodiazepines are the psychiatric medications of the most concern in patients with pulmonary disease due to the risk of respiratory depression (see Table 30-4). There is particular concern in patients who retain carbon dioxide. SSRIs and bu-spirone are good alternative medications for the treatment of anxiety. Consideration should be given to possible airway compromise due to acute laryn-gospasm when dopamine-blocking agents such as antipsychotic or antiemetic medications are used. Nonselective p1/p2-adrenergic blockers such as pro-pranolol can precipitate bronchial constriction and are contraindicated in persons with asthma.

It seems like you hear it all the time from nearly every one you know I'm SO stressed out!? Pressures abound in this world today. Those pressures cause stress and anxiety, and often we are ill-equipped to deal with those stressors that trigger anxiety and other feelings that can make us sick. Literally, sick.